M416 matching camo adventure trailer build up

Ok boys, don't get too excited, it's just me. I thought I would start a new thread showing my build rather than updating my other unrelated thread.

Here is the info that you have seen:

2/19/2008

I cleaned the frame and bottom of the tub and put 2 coats of POR15 on it Sunday. Too bad I'm a silly man and disregarded the warning to 'not let this stuff dry on your hands'

The frame and tub came out great. POR15 goes on really easy and dries with a nice smooth finish. Everything I painted looks brand new!

I wired the trailer with a new harness last night and threw the tub on it and fastened it down. I also cleaned up and painted a couple jerry cans and mounts that I intend to mount on the trailer. Hopefully I can find a place to mount them tonight.

I dropped off my 33"x10.5" super swamper radials to have them mounted on matching rims (to my CJ). I'm putting these on my trailer that way I only need 1 spare for both trailer and CJ.

I had to order a 14", 7 position pintle mounting plate / reciever adapter. I need to raise the CJ's hitch height to match the trailer (yes, I moved the lunette to the lower position) and the only way to do that is to get past the spare tire. That should arrive tomorrow.

Tonight I'm going to attach the tires and work on the front trailer wiring / connectors. I'm also going to figure out where to mount the jerry cans. I also need to decide if I'm going to mount a flat plate in front of the box to strap down a cooler.

2/20/2008

Here is an updated picture with the new tires / rims. Everything that's black is POR15.

Waaaayyyyyy too cold to do anything else with it last night.

Getting new tires and installing them on a project has to be the single most gratifying part of any project!! I'm still grinning!!

 

Ok. Here are some updated pics. I added a coat of POR15 chassis coat over the exposed parts to add a UV blocker. I also hit the inside of the bed with 2 coats of Herculiner. I also hit all the nooks and crannys with POR15 because there is no way I can cut the camo accurate enough to fill every crack. I started on the camo last night and should be able to finish it today. The brainacks at Camoclad decided to go to a digital HD version of the Max4HD camo I have on my CJ so the pattern isn't exactly the same - but who cares I guess.....

I will also be mounting the lights and completing the wiring over the next couple days....Oh yeah, I replaced the shocks as well...and figured out the pintle set up to clear my spare on the back of the CJ and get the trailer to ride at about a 5-10 nose down angle so that is will ride level when loaded. I discovered I needed to 'secure' my rear bumper a little better since there was movement when I hooked up the trailer.

 

are you using vinyl camo?

oh... guess I should have read closer

 

I can't wait to see this thing done in camoclad camo.

 

John,

Looking in the picture connected to the jeep I see you have the landing leg down.

My plan was to get one of the these bump stops and add it to the bottom of the leg when you have it parked to level it out:

http://www.fatbobsgarage.com/cart/p...nforced_steel_mounting_plate-211-94.html?shop

It's looking really good, can't wait to see the decals installed!

 

Hey Art,
That's a great idea! Those are 4 1/2 inches long. Hopefully that's enough to level it out. I'll have to mesure it the next time I get it hooked up.

That reminds me, I never extended my bump stops when I lifted my CJ.....yet another thing to add to the list.....

 

Rather than a bump stop, you might try making an adaptor so you can adjust the length of the landing leg depending upon a lift, tire size, etc. so that your trailer will be relatively level with the leg down.

There are some photos of what I did in my photo album:

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgallery.php?cat=924

I got some steel of the appropriate width and thickness from the scrap bin at my local metal house and drilled holes in the center spaced so that I can adjust the leg up and down as necessary.

 

Well, I got the lights mounted and everything wired on the Jeep and the trailer last weekend. I picked up a couple M100 brackets to mount the lights and they don't provide enough clearance between the lights and the trailer. I had to use stacks of 3/8" fender washers as spacers for the lights. Worked out pretty good. I welded the washers together and painted them black so you can really even see them. Keeps the lights nice and tight to the trailer also.

The camo job on the trailer is complete, but it's been so crappy out, I have not taken pictures yet. It came out pretty good. I'm still trying to figure out where I want to mount the jerry cans. That kinda depends on the cooler / ammo box that I find to mount on the front. I think I may go with 2 water cans on the rear and 1 gas can on the front. I also want to pick up a canvas top for it and make roof bows out of pvc. It never ends.....that's ok. I would be sad if it did!

 

can't wait to see pics of the camo :drool:

 

Ok. Here are the latest pics. I've still got to mount the cooler, water and gas jerry cans, shovel, jack, etc.

Unfortunately, the company changed the camo pattern over the past 2 years, so it doesn't match exactly, but once it's covered in mud you will never be able to tell anyway....R)

 

Awesome. Nice job.

My dad was considering using the camoclad stuff on his CJ5. How much did you use or did you use the small SUV/Jeep kit?

 

I used 3 sheets (4x6) for the CJ and 2 for the trailer from Mack's Prarie Wings. They had the best price by far. Make sure he gets the perminant adhesive. It's still removeable with heat, but it stays put better.

 

Did you have extra left from the three sheets you used on the CJ? Just wondering how much room for error we'd have. Also, do you let the CJ outside or is it garage kept? Just wondering how it holds up to the weather and sun.

 

I had a decent amount left. Probably 1/3 of a sheet or so in misc pieces. If you mess up something like half the hood, you would need an extra piece.

The CJ lives in the garage most of the time. The stuff is supposed to not fade and they use it on boats, so I have to imagine it holds up to rain ok. I looked it over the other day to see if it had started lifting up in any of the corners and everything still seems very tight. ONce the sun bakes it on, and shrinks it to fit, it seems pretty solid.

 

John...Looks Damn Good!!! Far better than the day you picked it up.

I have not a darn thing to the T3-C yet

 

Spring over, flipped and rotated axle?

 

Definitly spring over, but I'm not sure if the PO rotated the axle or welded on new perches. My guess is flipped and rotated.

Art, you are the best person to answer that one!!

 

I unbolted the backing plates to keep the parking brake cable orientation/location the same.

I then just unbolted the u-bolts and flipped the axle from top or the springs to under.

I had broke two u-bolts so I did replace all 4. The only thing I believe I would have done different was to use square u-bolts to keep the Jeep style spring plate orientation as it made for very short shock length the way I did it.

Looks like a 35" tire is no problem on clearance but I'll bet it would be a bear to load anything real heavy if you had to likft it over the sides...

John...did you ever get a chance to ask about the Bantam hitch knob?

 

I actually did, about 5 times. The PO obviously has not put this on his top priority list though! I'll keep on him, although at this point I think our chances are pretty slim......I'll keep trying for sure though.....